TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Tracy Cleveland - Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures
REPORT BY: Jaspreet Faller - Staff Services Analyst II
SUBJECT: Approval of a new MOU with Marin and Sonoma Counties
RECOMMENDATION
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Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures requests approval of and authorization for the Chair to sign Memorandum of Understanding No. 240225B with Napa, Marin and Sonoma Counties to hold a Pesticide Disposal Event funded by the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The authorization of this Memorandum of Understanding with Napa, Marin and Sonoma Counties will provide a safe means for farmers/growers in the three-County area to dispose of unwanted pesticides where a contracted, licensed, and insured hazardous waste vendor will receive the materials and deliver to an incineration facility for destruction. DPR has agreed to provide $250,000 in funding to Sonoma County.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
DPR has identified funds to distribute to Counties to hold pesticide disposal events. The money allocated is intended to be the primary source of funding for the third-party hazardous waste contractors for the North Bay Pesticide Takeback Event. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
There is no future fiscal impact past the stated ending date of December 31, 2024. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If the agreement is not approved, the County will not be able to participate in the pesticide disposal event. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Vibrant and Sustainable Environment |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: General Rule. It can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment and therefore CEQA is not applicable. [See Guidelines For the Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act, 14 CCR 15061(b)(3)].
Consideration and possible adoption of a Categorical Exemption Class 8: It has been determined that this type of project does not have a significant effect on the environment and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. [See Class 8 (“Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment”) which may be found in the guidelines for the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act at 14 CCR §15308.]
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Marin, Napa, and Sonoma Counties applied for funding from DPR to hold the “North Bay Legacy Pesticide Disposal Event” to provide a free farmer/growers disposal event to collect unwanted and unregistered pesticide products, with the aim of mitigating any potential environmental hazards from their continued storage.
The cost of properly disposing of hazardous materials can be expensive for businesses, resulting in pesticide products that sit in storage where the risk of environmental contamination grows with every year that passes. The planned takeback event will benefit the County and State by safely removing potentially hazardous, unwanted and outdated pesticides from farms and ranches within the three-county area.
The amount awarded to the three counties is $250,000 with the breakdown as follows: Marin County $20,000, Napa County $100,000, and Sonoma County: $130,000. Each County is responsible for staff time and any incidental costs associated with the event.
It is anticipated that this event will take place in Spring 2024 and likely occur over multiple days. The event will be held in Sonoma County. Sonoma County is responsible for securing the third-party contractor for the collection of hazardous waste and maintaining all financial records for this project.